Cleveland's bad rap is a thing of the past

Aaron Grossman is president of Alliance Solutions Group and the incoming president of the Cleveland chapter of The Entrepreneurs' Organization.

Cleveland often gets a bad rap when it comes to being a good place to do business.But as a local business owner and entrepreneur, I've found Cleveland to be ripe for success. And I think that's because, in large part, it's a place where people want to do the right thing when it comes to running a business. That's a big reason why I decided to start my employment company, Alliance Solutions Group, here instead of a larger, more glamorous city.It's also why I've been able to partner with a lot of different companies: Because we have similar business values. When I talk about doing business with integrity, people really buy in.Take Thogus injection molding company in Avon Lake. Vitamix high-performance blender company in North Olmsted. And Vox Mobile in Independence, a mobile-tech support company. (Vitamix and Vox Mobile are or have been Alliance clients; Thogus is not.)

All of these companies have strong visions, missions and values. And not coincidentally, they're all flourishing.I believe they are the companies that are going to be the next Fortune 500s or at least, the largest employers in our region. And that's because it's not so much about what they do, but why they're doing it. Vitamix's mission statement, for example, reads: “Improving the vitality of people's lives and liberating the world form conventional food and beverage preparation boundaries.”When you can explain why you're doing something, the passion comes out. Their mission statement has inspired me to go back and improve ours.Don't get me wrong: I'm not saying all you have to be is a good guy and passionate for your business to succeed. If only it were that simple.What I am saying is that integrity is a critical foundation for success.

In this first of a series of blog posts, I want to share what I see and what I learn both through my business and my new position as president of the local Entrepreneurs' Organization chapter. I want to engage other business owners in conversations about why Cleveland is a good place to do business and what we can do to improve it.I'm fortunate enough to get a peek into the worlds of many Northeast Ohio companies through my company's work finding and placing talent with local businesses.I see what they're doing and importantly, why they're doing it. I see the talent that is here in Cleveland and the businesses that are capitalizing on it.I see: Why collaboration and transparency are good for business; why you don't have to be in San Francisco or Boston to grow a tech company; why there's enough talent to grow a business here.It's not hyperbole: Cleveland is a good place to do business. I really believe there is a renaissance going on here. And not one led by Fortune 500 companies but by small to middle-market companies with passion, vision and integrity. And that's something worth talking about.

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